SHEPHERDSVILLE - The inception of the website has allowed The Pioneer News to become literally a 24/7 news and information site to our subscribers and our non-subscribers.

You have seen the website change in appearance and content over the years and we have seen the number of viewers continue to grow.

Most recently, you may have noticed that you view the actual newspaper - page by page - through our e-edition service.

This comes on the heels of our new Marketplace directory, which gives you an opportunity to look at many of our advertisers.

Beginning on Wednesday, March 23, there will be yet another major change to our website.

For our loyal subscribers, there will be little difference. In fact, you will be rewarded for your valuable commitment to our newspaper.

Starting next Wednesday, our subscribers will have full access to our entire website, www.pioneernews.net

Spend as much time on the site as you like. Look at as many articles or advertisements as you wish.

In order to make that happen, you will need to take a couple of minutes to register for our site. Be sure you have a copy of your newspaper - you will need the account number and exact information found on the label - and go to our website. Activate your existing account on the site and you are all set.

For those of you who are not subscribers but enjoy our product on-line, you will have to make a decision.

If you would like a free 30-day trial, there will be a place to register for that. However, after those 30 days, we hope you will value our print and on-line product enough to become a subscriber.

As a subscriber, you will receive both our printed product each Monday and Wednesday, as well as 24/7 access to the website.

If you opt to not try us out, your access to the website will still be possible. However, there will be some limitations on the news and information that will be available.

From the editorial side, the internet was often viewed as an enemy in the beginning. It was something new, which is often a bad thing for reporters.

However, what the internet has done is allow us to become instant sources of information. From breaking news in the courtroom to weather alerts to road and school closings, The Pioneer News and www.pioneernews.net has been the instant source of information.

In fact, other breaking news from this county which might be seen on other media websites could have originated from www.pioneernews.net.

We have learned a lot from operating the website and our reporters have grown to not only embrace it but to also get a joy in being able to provide more of the things we produce in the paper.

For example, while we may only have space to run a single picture in the paper, our photo galleries provide the ability to run many pictures.

Our videos have provided an opportunity to provide another form of media to capture a special event.

It is now easier to submit news tips, social news, community announcements or just about anything else to the newspaper.

The website offers a much cleaner look and our advertisers can be found easily through banners and the Marketplace, including a way to map their location and even send them an e-mail.

We continue to update our obituaries daily.

All in all, The Pioneer News and www.pioneernews.net combine to give you a comprehensive look at what’s happening in Bullitt County.

And now, if you get the urge to wake up early in the wee hours of Monday and Wednesday, you can view our on-line edition before the mail carrier arrives or the newsstand boxes are filled.

Of course, beginning Wednesday, March 23, the rules will all change. This will be done to provide our loyal subscribers with yet another perk of being part of The Pioneer News family.

If you are currently a subscriber, get on-line and get registered today. It won’t take but a couple of minutes.

If you aren’t a subscriber but think you might like to continue to receive full-access to our website and our printed product, be sure to sign up for the 30-day trial.

The Pioneer News is the source of news, information and advertising in Bullitt County. Thank you for being a loyal part of our family.